Hodgson named in England's Four Nations squad

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Canberra Raiders recruit Josh Hodgson has been named in England's 24-man squad for the upcoming Four Nations series.

Hodgson will be hoping to make his Test debut for England during the tournament and will be well placed to do so after a superb season for Hull Kingston Rovers in which he took out the club's Player of the Year and the Player's Player Awards at the conclusion of the season.

The 24 year old has previously represented the England Knights on two occaisions, scoring one try. The Knights are England's second string side.

The UK Rugby Football League also announced that Wigan Warriors skipper Sean O'Loughlin will Captain England for the 2014 Four Nations Series, succeeding Kevin Sinfield who announced his international retirement over a month ago.

Raiders fans can catch their first glimpse of Hodgson playing on Australian soil when England open their Four Nations campaign against Samoa in Brisbane on October 25.

Steve McNamara's squad contains 13 survivors from last year's Rugby League World Cup, a tournament that ended for hosts England with a heart-breaking semi-final loss to New Zealand.

"We spent a long time selecting this squad and there were some close calls with a lot of competition for places," said England coach McNamara in a RFL statement on Sunday.

"But ultimately we chose the players who will give us the best chance of winning a major tournament in Australasia for the first time since 1990, when Great Britain defeated New Zealand.

"We have a tremendous challenge in front of us but I know the players have the desire, appetite and quality to do English Rugby League proud in this tournament."

The European-based players will leave England on October 14 en route to their pre-tournament camp on Queensland's Gold Coast.